Free Anything Goes on a Friday Night by Sara Daniell

expressing my distaste for this so-called ladies’ man.
    “Oooo, nothing? Not even a not? You’re crushin’ on him!”
    My mouth fell open, and I shoved her shoulder. “Am not! I don’t think he’s hot, and I don’t think he’s not hot. I’m indifferent when it comes to him.”
    “Liar!”
    I laughed. “Okay, fine! Hot. Now go to the next one, dammit!”
    She burst into laughter. We both laughed so hard we had tears in our eyes. I had no idea why we found this so funny, but I’m glad we did. I needed this. I needed laughter that didn’t make sense. I needed stupid-fun.

 
     

     
    T HE REST OF THE week was a blur. I kept myself busy, finishing several of my assignments early just to keep my mind off of Channing and Katie. I even applied for some jobs, because Dad told me that I needed to start paying for my own things, like car insurance and my car payment. But did he check on me to make sure I was alright? Nope. He just ‘checked in’ to tell me I needed to get a job and that we’d talk more about things when I cooled off and came home from Jane’s.
    I wasn’t mad about the job thing. I was actually excited about it. It’d be my money, and dammit, I just needed something that was mine and no one else’s right now. Like Channing was mine, but, without my knowledge, I was sharing him with Katie.
    All of my friends back home must’ve heard about what happened, because my phone started blowing up with missed calls and “how are you” texts. I didn’t respond to anyone. I had this theory that if I just forgot about that place, those people, everything, the hurt might not hurt so badly. Throwing things under the rug isn’t smart; I knew that. But sometimes you have to, to make it through the day. I’d deal with it later. Maybe.
    Fridays lately have been hard. The beginning of each new weekend brought more turmoil and hurt. I wasn’t going to go to the party with Jane. I didn’t want to mingle with new people and put on a pretend smile. I just wanted to pig out on junk food and repeatedly watch The Breakfast Club . But Jane insisted. And when Jane insisted, she usually won. She promised if I wanted to leave, she’d leave with me, and we’d both pig out on junk.
    I ran home to get some of my things after confirming that neither my dad nor Nancy were there. I wasn’t ready to see either of them yet. After getting ready and packing my things, I came into the living room where Jane was waiting for me.
    “You know what I think?” She had a silly grin on her face. It made me slightly nervous.
    “What?” I put the straps of my bag over my shoulder.
    “I think you should look for Finn tonight.”
    I laughed. “No. I strategically ignored his snide remarks and stupid adorable smile all week. I’m not entertaining him, Jane. No way. I just want to go and have fun.”
    “But you’re back on the market! Fuck that stupid Channing guy! Get out there and meet new guys. You’re in high school; act like it!”
    Tears stung my eyes, and she became instantly apologetic. “Oh damn, Ellie! I’m sorry. Don’t mess up your mascara!”
    I laughed and blinked away the tears. “It’s waterproof.”
    We both laughed.
    “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    I shook my head and waved my hand. “No problem. I’m just not ready, okay?”
    She nodded. “Okay. Sorry. Really I am.”
    I motioned toward the door with my head. “Come on. Let’s get out of here and go have some fun.”
    She jumped up from the couch and looped her arm with mine on our way out to my car.

    I EXPECTED THE PARTY to be at a house. Not a tree stump. Literally. The place was called “The Stump,” and everyone crowded around it like some ritual. Four bonfires were blazing in different areas, and everyone was drinking and laughing. I looked at the “responsible” adults at this thing, generously handing out liquor to the minors.
    I listened to people talk about staying the night in their vehicles and the adults agreeing that it’d be